4 



•i. *»'■ 



An iEsrape ihat ifb Not Set 
Me free 

A lii-PrDhict of iioraan's lath 




f 



A janper Hcab UrforF 

She ©hia ffi^ammanberu 

0f thr 

IQ^aual leiifnit 

April r. 11115 



lly 
Sfeut-CoL Sniii^ Hastings iloore 

U5th (!). B. 3. 






C(HtAJIAL«W«A«a(Mvy 






0' 




COLONEL CICERO COLEMAN 



An Escape That Did Not Set Me Free. 

A By- Product of Morgan's Raid. 

Lieut. -Col. Davip Hastings Moork, 12.5tii O. V. I, 

CoMMANUEK ANU COMPANIONS: 



IT was in tlie summer of 1863, before Grant had taken 
Vieksburg, or Lee had been defeated at Gettysburg. 
The draft had been declared and — January 1, 1863 — 
Mr. IJncoln Jiad issued tlie Proclamation of Eman- 
cipation. Important elections were pending in Ohio. 
Intense op))osition to the war had developed. Sym- 
pathy with Secession was open and defiant. Oath- 
bound organizations were armed and drilled. Treasonable badges 
were flaunted. In some places children were forbidden by the 
school authorities to wear Union colors. Recruiting was most 
difficult. Companies were harder to raise than regiments had been. 
^Meetings for volunteers were molested; men inclined to enlist were 
subjected to jirotest and intimidation. Cnion speakers were 
annoyed; harness was cut on their horses; and here and there 
fortifications were thrown up and garrisoned to resist the draft. 
From New York, thro Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana, Knights of 
the Golden Circle were organized, apparently only awaiting an 
o))portunity to raise the flag of Rebellion on Union soil. 

Is it any wonder that Cjcneral John Morgan, with such an 
inviting prospect of warlike Knights flocking to his standard, 
enabling liim to rescue the thousands of valiant Co;nfcderate 
soldiers imprisoned in Fort Morton, Indianapolis ; to arm and equi)) 
them from plethoric Lhiion arsenals, and with ever augmenting 
numbers swee]) on to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio; rescue and 
arm the thousands there; and being joined every hour by the anti- 
union hordes, to jnish resistlessly on through Pennsylvania, effecting 
a junction with Lee; who, tiius mightily strengthened, would toss 
Meade out of liis path, seize Washington and make it the new 
capital of the victorious Confederacy — is it any wonder, I re])eat, 
that Morgan ignored his orders to confine his operations to Ken- 
tucky, made the Ohio iiis Rubicon, and risked all on a scheme as 
grand as ever glittered in the mind of a Caesar? 

There were dangerous possibilities in the audacious undertaking. 
And those who gave it j^romise, and could have made the promise 
reality, those fire-eating Knights, refused the hot diet when it was 
offered, and lured the daring invaders to their doom. And yet, tho 

4 



the collapse of the greater camjjaign was spectacular, and tho 
Morgan lost an unequaled cavalry division to Bragg, it cannot be 
shown that he did not achieve more to disturb and distract Rosecrans 
and thus to cover Bragg's retreat across the Tennessee, than would 
have justified the loss of an army corps. But with such a question 
we have naught to do; only with a personal incident in the Raid. 

Though robbed of its possibilities and become a frenzied effort 
to recross the Ohio River, to the people of the invaded states, unused 
to actual M'arfare, the Raid assumed exaggerated proportions and 
]>ossibilities. Stretching three miles along the roads, Morgan's 
cavalry seemed to their affrighted vision like a conquering army 
with banners. Indiana put 65,000 and Ohio 55,000 militia into the 
field. Hobson and Duke were hot on Morgan's trail with more 
than 7,000 cavalry from the front ; Burnside had the nucleus of an 
army corps in Cincinnati. The atmosphere was vibrant with excite- 
ment and apprehension. The Raid was the one topic of conversa- 
tion, the one subject of interest. 

]\Iy detail was to recruit two companies which the regiment 
lacked when ordered to the front. If the work was difHcult before, 
after Morgan crossed the river it was impossible. As he swept 
through Indiana into Ohio, all regular recruiting was suspended 
by the spasmodic mustering of the militia and the fantastic maneu- 
vers of the Squirrel Hunters. Officers on detached service were 
ordered to report to the Adjutant General in Columbus, probably 
with the thought of their assignment to the command of the militia. 
Some were so requisitioned, but the majority were ordered to keep 
in touch with the Office and to make themselves serviceable as their 
judgment dictated. It pleased me to act with the militia of my 
own county. 

At that period the quickest way from Columbus to Athens, by 
l^ublic conveyance, was by stage to Chillicothe, and thence by the 
old Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad. Evidences of excitement, 
amounting in some instances to panic, multiplied as the sections 
were reached which were threatened by the invaders. Chillicothe 
was at fever heat — militia mustering, scouts dashing hither and 
yon, startling rumors buzzing: a)id but one assurance of safety — 
they had burned the bridge over Paint Creek, albeit its waters 
were scarcely fetlock deep ! With difficulty I escaped arrest as a 
spy. All trains being suspended, save those used by the military, 
I was fortunate to secure permission to ride with the militia who 
were being hurried to Colonel Runkle at Berlin Cross Roads in 
Vinton County, where Morgan was to be intercepted on his way 
to Wilkesville and the Ohio. That would be one stage on my 
homeward journey, and I was glad to take it. The train was packed 
with nice young fellows, well equipped, but wholly ignorant of 
military. The most had never loaded and fired a gun. 

5 



All went well until, on nearing Hamden Junction, loud and 
repeated reverberations of artillery were heard. There was but 
one eonelusion: Rnnkle was en«)ao;in<2; Morgan, and we were running 
straight into a Hglit ! That was different from a holiday excursion, 
and the changed features of the men plainly declared it. Being 
unarmed, I experienced a personal embarrassment, which increased 
with every cannon shot. But suddenly I saw a way of relief. One 
of the youngsters resj^onded to every report of the artillery with 
spasmodic abdominal contractions and pitiful facial pallor. "You 
are not well?" I solicitously inquired. Then as he pulled out of 
another collapse, "No," he said, and before he could explain — 
Boom ! went the cannon and again he doubled up, the picture of 
despair. "You are not fit to be here, sick as you are; let me have 
your outfit, and I wall take your place." With a look of ineffable 
relief and gratitude, he divested himself of musket and cartridge 
box and belt, and I was equipped for the fray. 

Hamden readied, we disembarked and formed column to double- 
quick to the Cross Roads, our movements hastened by the continuous 
firing. Fortunately one of my recruiting officers was on General 
Gilmore's staff, and, recognizing me a proud high private in the 
rear rank, secured me promotion to the staff and a good mount ; 
and we were off to the front. But soon the firing ceased, and we 
were met by scouts, who informed us that the firing had been by 
Morgan to round up our men while he flanked their position and 
made good his way to the river. 

We marched back and entrained for Athens. That being my 
home, I wired to the Military Commission to have rations ready 
against our arrival ; and never was prouder of our good women than 
when I saw what must have seemed almost a banquet to the half- 
famished men. 

Resigning my staff position, I outfitted from my own stable 
and armory, and, late as it was, dashed off to catch up with our 
local militia, who were well on the road to Pomeroy. Found them 
in bivouac, early enough to feed my horse and get a snatch of sleep 
before cock-crowing; when, with young Jo. Pickering and Win. 
Scott, stout and plucky chaps, I pushed on to make reconnoissance 
on our own account. Our course would intercept Morgan at Rut- 
land. That we were not too late became evident as we drew near, 
from the fugitives encountered, who assured us that "an over- 
whelming force" was trooping through Rutland on toward the Ohio. 
We moved with increasing caution. The outskirts of the village 
reached, Scott concealed his horse and made his way on foot over 
a wooded hill, where lie could see for himself the number and 
character of the enemy. Pickering followed suit; and, being in 
citizen's clothes, went on into the village and mixed with the 
lielpless and frightened Rutlanders. 

6 



Sometimes one makes a fool of himself, naturally it may have 
been in this ease; for I rode warily into the village, at the other 
side from that occupied by the Raiders. Seeing me in military 
dress and fully armed, the citizens urged me to leave, lest Morgan's 
men should discover me and burn their town. I could hear the 
clank of sabres, the hoof-beat of the horses, the rumble of the 
artillery and baggage wagons and the outcry of the Raiders, but I 
had seen nothing; and so quietly suggested that it would not be 
good form for a Union officer to retire without so much as a glimpse 
of the foe, and that their fears were unfounded. Pickering came back 
and reported "no end of Johnnies pushing on toward the river" ; and 
advised me to get away while I could. Reassuring him as to my 
safety and telling him to go back and learn all he could of the 
numbers and plans of the Raiders, I took up a still better position, 
and, with a Colt's revolver ready cocked, awaited developments. 
Nor was I more than ready when a Morgan scout dashed around 
the corner, straight toward me. There was only one proper thing 
for me to do: I pulled down on him, and. as he whirled his horse 
and, hanging by arm and leg, Indian style, on the further side, 
spurred back, I pulled down on the saddle and let go. Fortunately 
I missed him, tho Pickering saw him show a red stripe across his 
neck and heard him swear that the double-blanked Yankee had come 
that near getting him. All was uproar in their ranks : the enemy 
was upon them ! and a strong party struck out to repulse him ! 
But I had the start and a fresh and fleet horse, and easily left them 
far behind. Seeing but one man, I fancy they deemed it not worth 
Avhile to pursue me far. I was free to wait for my comrades to 
rejoin me, which they promptly did. 

Naturally we were full of enthusiasm over our adventure, and 
when from the top of a high hill we saw a picket post, commanded 
by the auburn-haired and redoubtable sheriff of our county, thinking 
to try their nerve, we charged down the hill with a blood-curdling 
Rebel yell. We should not have lived to tell the story; but we did 
not depend in vain upon the insane alarm everywhere prevailing. 
They fled precipitately to the camp with frightful reports of the 
assault. When the militia hastened to the defense, they found 
three greatly amused Athenians in possession. 

Having reported the results of our scout, I used up the greater 
part of the night in reaching Athens. There was too much excite- 
ment for long sleep. I was up early Sunday morning. Morgan 
had been driven back from Pomeroy and was making his way 
toward Buffington's Island, where he was sure to be overtaken by 
Hobson. Kxcrytiiing was throbbing with excitement. I wanted 
to be in at the finish, and found one of our leading merchants — Mr. 
Charles Ballard — who sympathised with me. My own horse being 
stiffened up. Mr. A. D. Brown, cashier of the bank, loaned me his 
fine roan saddler. The ride was wondrously hot and wearisome, 

7 



until at dusk wc were rtvivcd by scfiiif.- in the distance two great 
clouds of dust, one followino- the other, the first of which we 
ascribed to Morgan's men and the second to Hobson's. 

Being joined at this juncture by Messrs. Josephus Tucker and 
James King, the former of whom had at one time lived in that 
vicinity and w;is thoroughly familiar with the roads, we followed 
Mr. Tucker's directions as to the road to intercept Hobson, By 
this time it was dark and we could see camp fires, which we decided 
were Hobson's, and increased our speed. Suddenly we heard 
cavalry coming. Its ai)proach was irregular. The rumble of our 
wheels-- for Tucker and King were in a buggy — might have been 
mistaken for artillery and the rattle of our horses' hoofs for 
envalrv scouts. So the oncomers were feeling their w^ay. Not 
doubting but they were our men, yet realizing the need of caution, 
it seemed best that I should go forward and reconnoiter. Nearer 
and nearer came the approaching cavalry, until I could trace across 
the road a line darker than the night, and heard the omnious 
clicking of carbines, as the challenge rang out clear and strong: 
"Halt! Who comes there? " Which challenge with altered inflection 
and unwarranted bravado. 1 repeated. Their answer came prompt 
and free: "Union cavalry, after Morgan: who are you? Dismount 
and advance !" The latter was peremptory. It had been useless 
to attempt to escape; besides, they must be our men, none others 
could be there. 

So, reluctantly, 1 admit, I dismounted and advanced, only to 
find myself surrounded by exultant Johnnies, who, as they seized 
my horse and emjjtied my holsters, swore that they had a field 
officer! That would nol \\:i\v been so bad. had not two of them 
in a prankish w;iv not wiiolly enjoyable, brandished their jjistols 
about my head and demanded my ))urse. Falling back on pure gall, 
ones only resource under such conditions, I told them the only 
truth of which I was guilty all that night: "Boys, put those guns 
down, they might go off and hurt a fellow. I have no purse — 
report me to (ieneral Morgan." Bluff is a good ally in a tight 
place. 

Down went liuir pistols, and they conducted me to General 
Morgan, whom 1 found being guided by a Methodist minister I 
knew very well. Re\ . Charles Lewis, who had been pressed into 
service. "Well, sir, what is it?" said the Cieneral. Saluting, I 
replied, "Nothing, (Tcneral, only your men in front are decidedly 
uncivil: I wondered if you wouldn't order me under guard further 
in the rear? " "By no manner of means, (hiards, take this man 
back and keep him and all your prisoners right in front!" And 
back I trudged, finding my three comiianiuis and a constantly 
increasing number of captives gathered in. ^^'hen you recall that 
our bushwhackers were everywhere sniping at the column, notably 
at its head, which we were; and that when the column advanced it 

8 



moved rapidly until it encountered the next obstacle, and that we 
had the alternative of outrunning the horses or of being trampled 
beneath their hoofs, you can imagine how strenuous was our 
position. Rest assured we were thankful for the obstacles. They 
gave us time to catch our breath. Without them we must have 
perished. I never before knew what weariness was. Those rests 
were welcome also, because they gave me opportunity to become 
acquainted with my captors, which was easy, as they evidenth^ 
were convinced that I was a first-class prize, despite my oft-repeated 
assertion that I was "a fool militia officer, carried awav by an 
insane desire to see a cavalry fight. " 

My liumiliation in being a prisoner was wholly negligible in 
comparison with my unspeakable regret that I had lost my borrowed 
horse. If it liad only been my own! So I sought the youth who 
had him. "My boy," said I, "that's a fine horse you took from me. 
You won't have him long. You see how the whole country is roused. 
Soon you will be prisoner, and I will be free. If you take good 
care of my horse, so that I get him back in good sliape, I will make 
it mighty pleasant for you. Don't forget. By the way, what is 
your name.''" "My name.^ My name is John Calvin."* Shades 
of Methodism ! Had he said "John Wesley" I had fainted dead 
away; but, as he said "John Calvin," I immediately explained the 
situation by "the Decrees," and concluded that it had been "fore- 
ordained fi'om all eternity" that he should steal my horse ! And 
so I was reconciled, if not comforted. 

Hut of greater imijortance were the interviews with the Colonel 
commanding. He was a typical Kentuckian, six feet, symmetrical, 
with as kindly eyes as ever shone under Southern brows, and voice 
as gentle as .i lover's. Evidently he took no stock in my being a 
green militia officer, but believed that I possessed valuable informa- 
tion, if he could only secure it. From him I learned that the 
cavalry fight had taken place at Buffington's Island, and that 
Morgan was flanking Hobson and bending back toward Pomeroy 
again. But evidently fearing that they miglit be headed off, he 
thought it prudent to learn the posture of affairs further north. 
He was particularly anxious to know about Marietta. Now I was 
pastor in Marietta when I enlisted in May, 1862, and with Judge 
Davis Green and the Hon. George M. Woodbridge had helped 
raise the Sixt3'-third and Seventy-seventh O. V. I.* Relying largely 
on the Colonel's acquaintance with Revolutionary History and 
Revolutionary heroes, I expostulated: "Marietta! Colonel, surely 
you wouldn't think of going to Marietta ! Why, it's full of troops, 
all under command of General Putnam!" How I hoped that the 
name of the redoubtable hero of Horseneck would deeply and duly 
impress him. Colonel William Pitt Putnam, Chairman of the 

*His name was John Calahan, which I misunderstood. 

9 



Military Commission of Washinjrton County, was a lineal descendant 
of the Avolf-lninter of Ponifret, Conn. 

But when my captor shifted from Marietta to Athens, where 
were my home and my family and my lares and penatcs, I am sure 
military necessity will excuse the indelible white s])ots that, using 
my finger nails as tablets, recorded my wilful de]iarture from exact 
truth. Moreover, there is something ,1 trifle encouraging in the 
fact that Gabriel, who commands the Gates of the New Jerusalem, 
is a military hero or nothing. Therefore he knows how it is himself. 
And surely military "necessity is the mother of invention." And I 
"invented." So I interjected: "Athens! Colonel — Athens? It 
would be madness to venture there. General Greene" — how thank- 
ful that M. M. Greene was Chairman of our ^Military Commission! 
• — "General Greene is at Athens, with cavalry, infantry and 
artillery: madness to think of Athens!" That one about the 
artillery is almost beyond hope; for the only semblance of artillery 
was an old home-made, cast-iron six-pounder, that never had been 
mounted, in fact, had no mountings, which we used for Fourth of 
July celebrations and the like, and was so unworthy' of confidence 
that we fired it with a slow match — we youngsters peeping up over 
the brow of the hill like Raphael's cherubs in his "Madonna"! 

Whether forgiven or not, I am sure the tale so truly told was 
not without its effect. But the more we talked together, the more 
our spirits seemed to chord: evidently we were kindred souls not 
estranged hy war. It was our last interview that night. Taking 
from my side pocket, where she had deposited it, a flask of black- 
berry wine, made by my blessed mother, and pressed upon me, as 
I rode away, as a jjreventive of ailments common to a hot July, I 
said, "Colonel, accept this: it is all your men left me; it will do 
you good. You look worn and very weary." Oh, how eagerly he 
took it, and drained its contents in a single gulp, his great frame 
responding from tongue to toe ! After that he would have done 
anything for me, anything but to let me go. The latter I was 
determined to manage without his permission: how, I did not know, 
but somehow. 

It was about nine o'clock, Sunday night, when they captured 
me. It was now two o'clock Monday morning. They were com- 
pelled to rest, from sheer exhaustion. They marched us into a 
dooryard of the house where we were to be locked up. My back 
was unjointed: each vertebra had declared inde]iendence and gone 
into war on its own account. Xearir than ever before. I was dead 
tired. I crawled about a man's length from the bunch, to the fence, 
and sought to rest by leaning against it. Escape then and there 
did not enter my mind. But the relief guard came and marched 

*After my escape, I found that Colonel Putnam had wired me to come and 
assume command of the defences of Marietta. 

10 



the prisoners into tlie house, locked them up and set the watch. 
They had overlooked me ! New life leaped through my veins. I 
threw myself over the fence into the road, which was filled with 
the Raiders. They could not distinguish me in the darkness. Oh, 
that I could not liave distinguislied myself! My first thought was 
a horse; "my kingdom for a horse!" — something to carry me and to 
turn over as part of the loss of my misadventure. But every horse's 
bridle rein had a sleeping rider's arm through it. Colonel Dick 
Morgan asked me, the other day, why I didn't cut the rein. Sure 
enough, why didn't I.'' I hadn't sense enough; besides, it had been 
extra hazardous. Finally I mounted a fence enclosing a field of 
tall timothy, in the midst of which was a barn stored with sheaf 
oats — a treasure of forage which was being appropriated for the 
hungry horses. My way lay around that barn. I must crawl 
through the timothy and over the mushy ground and ignore my 
terror of water snakes. So hand over hand I made my way, wet 
and muddy, to the fence. 

Up to that moment 1 liad cherished warmest admiration for 
8-rail staked and ridered fences ; but now that I had to climb one 
and cross a road, doubtlessly strongly picketed by the enemy, 
admiration gave place to disgust. But that way lay escape, and I 
climbed. Just as I threw my leg over the rider, the Queen of Night, 
who up to that moment had maintained her maiden modesty, lost 
every sense of proprietv, flung off the clouds that veiled her charms, 
and flashed her searchlight upon me as I strode the fence, a 
splendid target for watchful pickets ! I simply relaxed every 
muscle and dropped limp to the ground ! If you must drop, that 
is the only safe way — wholly relaxed. No bones were broken, nor 
joints wrenched nor displaced; and when the Queen of Night had 
satisfied her irrepressible feminine curiosity and nestled again 
under her fleecy counteri3anes, I essayed the fence the second time, 
and successfully; crossed the road and climbed another fence, 
undiscovered ; went through another field, crossed another road, 
into a woods pasture, where were horses farmers had concealed 
from the Raiders. The prospect of a horse gave me new life. A 
beautiful threee-year-old coquetted with me ; but when I attempted 
to secure her with an extemporized bridle, she reared and snorted 
and slung me pitilessly. I was stunned and lay helpless until 
roused by the voices of Raiders hunting fresh horses. Fear of 
recapture was a mighty stimulus. I sprang to my feet and sped 
awaj" as though contending for the Olympian prize. I was not 
discovered. 

After a half-mile's run, I came to a liouse; but the inmates 
had fled. Still further on was another, where the old man and his 
son were engaged in morning chores. They eyed me with suspicion, 
not unmixed Avith fear. I told them that I had escaped from 
Morgan, who had taken my horse and equipments ; that I was 

11 



E. H. Moore's son — my father's was a name to eonjure M'itli in all 
that region; that I wanted a horse to ride to Athens; that I would 
pay well for its use; and that if anything hapjiened to it I would 
more than make good his loss. A])parently the words made no 
impression. He eyed me quizically, as mueh as to say, "Do you 
take me for a marine?" Before exploding with indignation, 1 
glaneed at myself, and then 1 did not wonder; for a more bedrag- 
gled, woe-begone speeimen of humanity would be unimaginable. 
All the gold aiul tinsel of the field offieer's uniform had disappeared 
in the slush and mud through whieh he had wallowed to liberty: 
literally, he was "the limit. " But I did not propose to be denied. 
I was so weak that either of them eould have mastered me with 
one hand. But reeolleeting that the fear of ^Morgan was still upon 
them, and that bluff was never more servieeable, I assumed an 
angry mien and voice, and declared that the end had come to 
parleying — that I must have a horse instanter — peaceably, if they 
would, but in any event, a horse. Once more bluff won ; and the 
old man ordered his son to bring me a horse. Perhaps that was 
what he called the beast he brought. You should have seen it: 
yew-necked, sway-backed, ring-boned, spavined; foretop, mane and 
tail matted with burs; blind in one eye; bridle without browband 
or throat latch, and the reins all chewed and knotted up as tho 
used by the cattle for a cud; the saddle, a frayed-out, old yellow 
thing; stirrup straps knotted and girth in strings! But it was a 
four-footed beast, and, as I mounted it, the dear old housewife — - 
after w'hat she did for me I shall never be satisfied until one of her 
sex is President of the United States ! — she came out with her 
checked apron full of hot biscuits and butter ! Talk about Paradise 
and the Peri ! 

Then I was off' — my steed now going a wriggling pace with 
left foot front, now with right, now breaking into a gallop, and 
now back again by a trot into the higglety-pigglety gait with which 
he started ! But to my delighted surprise, the further he went the 
faster he went, until, like a genuine Ford, he passed everything on 
the road ! And did seventeen miles in record time ! 

When I ri/ulitd Alliens it w;is crowded with citizens and 
farmers and militia, keyed to the highest jnteh of excitement and 
apprehension. When they saw me, who the morning before had 
ridden forth in such royal array, with a mount such as a Richard 
would have chosen — when they recognized me in that disreputable 
and bedraggled figure, riding such an apology of a horse, not 
knowing before what the apparition was, they yelled out : "Oh, 
it's only Dave Moore! He's seen the elephant!" "Yes," I replied, 
"but not the elephant only — the whole menagerie!" They literally 
pulled me off' my Rozinante, and rushed me onto the court house 
stile to tell my experience ! Well that I was a Methodist, and 
used to it ! 

12 



The cashier, whose horse I had lost, was good natured about it; 
knowing that in the end lie would have his own liorse or its value. 

How I got the one block to my home I know not. But some- 
thing to eat, a glorious bath, an alcohol massage, and two hours' 
sleep, made me as good as new ; and I was up and off on ^Morgan's 
trail, mounted on my own fleet horse, but reduced for arms to a 
double-barreled shotgun: literally a stern chase. Hobson was 
speedily after the doughty chief, and all day long there had been 
a running fight. In one of these, Pickering, my gallant comrade 
of the first day, had been wounded. I found him resting in a cabin, 
prouder of the shot through his leg than he would have been of the 
decoration of the Iron Cross. 

jNIeantime, INIorgan had been headed off' near Cheshire and was 
compelled to consider terms of surrender; but while negotiations 
were in progress he managed to slip away with some four hundred 
men, leaving the remainder our prisoners, under Colonel Coleman, 
my captor. Hobson having broken down with illness, General 
Kautz was commanding. All was bustle and excitement, disposing 
of the prisoners and preparing for the further pursuit of Morgan. 
There was a large number of captured horses, among which those 
who knew of my loss had recognized the cashier's roan, and greeted 
me with the news. Sure enough, there he was, apparently unin- 
jured. Thinking that I would need only to establish my identity 
and prove my property to secure my horse, I was taken aback 
when General Kautz very politely and kindly, yet positively, 
declined to turn him over. "You are on detached service, Major," 
he said, "and do not need your liorse, which is one of the best we 
have taken. We have to push right on after Morgan and must 
iiave the best mounts we can secure. Government will pay you for 
your horse. Sorry, but we can't give him up." At last I got it 
into his head how that it was a borrowed horse, loaned to me as 
a special favor; that if it had been my own I would not have minded 
it, etc. Something touched him, and he said, "All right, INIajor, 
turn us in a fresh horse, and you shall have yours." A friend 
graciously sold me a good horse for a hundred dollars, which the 
General accepted, and my lost horse was recovered. 

Being very anxious to see my captor, now our prisoner, I secured 
a pass into the enclosure where the captives were detained. I do 
not know whether I could have picked out the Colonel, as this was 
our first daylight interview. But when he was brought to me, his 
commanding presence, gentle voice and kindly eye made his identi- 
fication complete. "Colonel," I said, "do you recollect the 'militia 
officer' you captured Sunday night, and who gave you a flask of 
blackberry wine, and later escaped?" "I should say I do. Are 
yoii the man.^ We missed you at once and hunted everywhere for 
you. How you managed to get away I can't imagine. I am glad 
to see you. Sorry you were not here sooner. This was a conditional 

13 



surrender, officers being permitted to retain their private property. 
We got a fine liorse and equipments from you. Had you been here 
sooner, you should have had mine; but I have given him away. 
But — wait — I think our surgeon has his yet, and I will see if he 
will not turn him over to you." And the surgeon did — horse, 
saddle, bridle, pistols: a Kentucky thoroughbred, sorrel, badly run 
down, but needing only rest and care. 

And everv moment, with cords invisible, tlie Colonel was binding 
me to his heart, a thrice willing ])ris()ner. Taking from my jxK-ket. 
as I said good-bye, a tidy roll of greenbacks, I pressed it upon 
him. "You will not enjoy your ))rison diet: this will secure you 
a change of fare. Besides. Colonel, it is the very roll I had when 
A'our mischievous boys demanded my ))urse and I told them I had 
no 'purse' — the only truth I told them or you all that night. I beg 
you to accejjt it, with my best wishes." Despite the genial smile 
that overspread his face, then* was a mist in his eyes and a tremor 
in his voice ; and when at the gate I cast a look back, he was 
standing where I had left him. following my footsteps as tho I 
had been a brother. ^\'itli a jiarting salute the strange intervicAv 
was ended. 

At last the war was over. I'roui 187-5 to 1880 I was President 
of the then flourishing \\'esleyan College for Women in Cincinnati. 
Many of our best students were from the Kentucky Blue Grass, 
through whom I heard fretjuently of Morgan's brave men and of 
the high standing and growing influence of Colonel Coleman. A 
few verbal messages ))assed between us, but we did not meet. We 
came near it, however, o:ie "calling day " at the College. Nellie 
Weathers, a Kentuekian of the Keiituckians, was one of our best 
students, with deportment so ])erfeet that she was on the self- 
governing list. On this particular day the public parlors were full 
of callers, when a Captain McCann sent in his card for Nellie. 
Glad to show her a favor, I had her called to my pri\ate j^arlor. 
to which I ushered the Captain through my oftiee. It was the time 
when the country seemed on the verge of another Civil War, over 
the dispute as to Tilden's or Hay's election to the Presidency. 
As the Captain came out after his call, I engaged him in conversa- 
tion, naturally on the sinister aspect of ]iublic aifairs. "Things 
look bad in the country. Captain." 

"Very bad, indeed," he replied. 

"For my part, I have had all the fighting I want. How is it 
with you.''" 

"Exacth'' the same. I want no more. " 

"By the way, Captain, where did you serve.'' " 

"Oh, I was in the Confederate Army." 

"That I take for granted, Captain; all the officers from the 
Kentucky side who call on our students were in the Confederate 
service. But what branch of the service. Captain." 

14 



"The cavalry." 

"The cavalry? Whose cavalry, Captain?" 

"Oh, I — I was with Morgan." 

"With Morgan ! Did you know a Colonel Cicero Coleman of 
that command?" 

"Yes, indeed, he was my Colonel." 

"Your Colonel ! Then did you chance to know a private in his 
regiment by the name of John Calvin?" 

"Oh, yes; John Calvin was in my company." 

"John Calvin in your company! You blessed horse thief, you! 
Not content with capturing me and my horse, here you are trying 
to capture one of the best girls I have in school! What do you 
think of yourself, anyhow?" 

Rest assured we had a most interesting and enjoyable camp- 
fire, and through the Captain my communication with Colonel Cole- 
man became more direct. 

Some time in the '80's the Grand Army of the Republic held 
its national encampment in Denver. The great parade was led by 
General John A. Logan, whose mount I had the -proud privilege 
of furnisliing. I had organized the University of Denver and was 
living there. To my measureless delight, taking advantage of the 
rates. Colonel Coleman made me a visit. A more welcome guest 
I could not have had. Friendship's fetters were forged anew. 
Tlienceforth each was essential to the other. 

In 1889 I was elected to the editorship of the Western Christian 
Advocate, and returned to Cincinnati. No section of our patron- 
izing territory had greater attractions for me than that which grew 
such men as Colonel Coleman and sucli students as Nellie Weathers, 
and I was quick to respond to all calls which took me to the Blue 
Grass. 

On one occasion, at a lecture in I>exington, I saw in the rear of 
tlie audience Miss Nellie standing by the side of a tall, fine-looking 
gentleman, to whom, at the close of the exercises, she made fast 
and, like a tug with a schooner, towed him down the aisle to greet 
her old President. "Dr. Moore," she exclaimed, "I am so glad to 
see you again. Let me introduce my husband, ]\Ir. Stall." "Thrice 
happy tomeet you both ; but, Nellie, this is not the Captain. The 
Captain didn't get you, Nellie?" "No, Dr. :Moore, the Captain 
got you, but he didn't get me !"* 

These visits brought me into closer association with Colonel 
Coleman,. but the intimacy was interrupted by my election to the 
Episcoi)aev and residence for four years in China and for four in 
Oregon. 

In 1908 the General Conference fixed my home in Cincinnati, 
and the Colonel drew a new bond about me by procuring to have 
me made an honorary member of Morgan's Rough Riders, at their 
Estill Si)rings Reunicm, where I was his guest. He was pleased 
*Her husband was a'prominent attorney, now resident in New York City. 
After her death he married her^sister. 

15 



to introduce a Bislioj) w Irmi lie caiiturcd in the Raid, and whom 
speedily lie met under reversed conditions. It was a great reunion. 
Those Kentucky natures were like tinder to the spark of friendship. 
Loyal to the limit to their old flag, under which they had fought 
and suffered and lost; ard, equally true to the new order, they 
displayed the Stars and Stri])es above and over the Stars and 
Bars, the Bonnie Blue I''lag, the l'la«.>; with hut a Single Star, and 
all the rest — as though, while protecting them, it had drawn into 
its am))le folds all the sublime sentiments they once expressed. 
And on that glad day, their ])oet sang: 

"Then furl the flags of red and white, 
And fold them all away, 

To wave the grand old Stars and Stri))es, 
Ours for Kternity ! 

In 1!)12. as a retired Bishoj). I changed my residence to Indian- 
apolis, and our eorrespoi;denee became more frequent and ever 
more tender. \A'e covenanted that the survivor should be notiiied 
of liis comrade's death, and, if possible, should attend his funeral, 
each having tlie assurance that it was "well with his soul." 

On Sunday afternoon, .January 21, 1915, a long-distance mes- 
sage from the family announced that the Colonel had answered 
roll call that morning, and that the funeral would be the next 
Tuesday forenoon. It was near midnight. Monday, when I reached 
Lexington. Colonel W. R. Milward. Sixteenth Kentucky Union 
Infantry, gave me fraternal hospitality; and the next morning 
conveyed me with our mutual friend. Colonel Dick Morgan, General 
John Morgans brother, to Colonel Coleman's country home, which 
was thronged with relatives, friends and comrades, to honor his 
memory. Beautiful flov.crs brightened the ])all of death, and the 
remains of the noble object of this affection lay in sweet and calm 
repose. Had I been his brother. I could not have been more 
sincerely welcomed by the sorrowing widow and her widowed 
daugliter-in-law. So it was also with the pastor and neighbors and 
the aged survivors of Morgan's men. I was permitted to speak 
out of the fullness of my heart my appreciation of the Colonel and 
words of sym))athy and consolation for the bereaved ; and at the 
burial in the City Cemetery, over which the monument of Henry 
Clay keeps watcli and ward, when the jiastor had concluded the 
beautiful ritual service, the Commander of Morgan's Veterans 
summoned them about the grave, and asked me to offer prayer 
especially in their behalf. 

"Blest be the tie that binds 
Our hearts in Christian love." 

Escape from the Colonel I did; but the escape did not set me 
free; for the affection, whose seed was planted while I was his 
prisoner, watered by the dews of peace, s))rang up in both our 
hearts, and grew with the jjassing years, and. jilease Ciod. mocking 
the frosts of death, shall grow on forever. 

16 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 






013 706 834 5 



